FAQ’s

QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE

Answers About PrEP

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a single daily dose pill for HIV-negative individuals. People exposed to HIV can prevent contracting it with the assistance of PrEP.

To date, there are two FDA-approved medications for PrEP, Truvada® the original PrEP approved in 2012, and now Descovy®, which was approved in 2019. Studies have shown that PrEP is 99% effective at preventing HIV when taken daily as prescribed.

PrEP must be taken consistently to ensure maximum effectiveness and should be used in combination with other HIV-prevention methods, including condoms.

PrEP is safe, and the regimen is generally well-tolerated. The original pill used for PrEP, Truvada, has been used to treat people living with HIV since 2004. PrEP can cause mild side effects, including upset stomach, headaches, and weight loss, especially at the beginning of the regimen.

A very small percentage of patients have issues with their kidneys or bones. That’s why we perform several tests on your first visit to see if you are at risk. We’ll also continue to monitor your health at regular intervals.

Descovy (TAF/FTC) was approved as PrEP in 2019 after a scientific study demonstrated that Descovy is not inferior to Truvada in terms of efficacy for cis men and trans women.

The main difference between Truvada and Descovy as PrEP for cis men and trans women is that for a very small percentage of prospective PrEP users, Truvada might be contraindicated due to bone mineral density or kidney function issues. Descovy can still be safely used in those cases because it has less of an effect on bone mineral density and kidney function than Truvada does. However, this does not mean that Descovy is an overall “safer” drug or that Truvada is “unsafe.”

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUVADA FOR PREP AND DESCOVY FOR PREP?Music City PrEP Clinic2020-03-31T21:10:37-05:00

The main difference between Truvada and Descovy as PrEP for cis men and trans women is that while that for a very small percentage of prospective PrEP users, Truvada might be contraindicated due to bone mineral density or kidney function issues, Descovy can still be safely used in those cases because it has less of an effect on bone mineral density and kidney function than Truvada does. However, this does not mean that Descovy is an overall “safer” drug or that Truvada is “unsafe.”

MCPC prescribes both forms of PrEP. Like all our services, they are both free for the patient, including the cost of the medication itself, the lab work and appointments to monitor them.

Whether you’re insured or uninsured, we work to make PrEP available to you at no cost. Also, STD, HIV and HEP testing are free for all patients. We provide treatment for some STDs at no cost. HIV positive individuals can be referred to other organizations to assist them in their care.

PrEP must be taken consistently every day to prevent the threat of the HIV virus from copying and spreading throughout the body. You must keep your appointment with your PrEP provider every three months, which includes comprehensive lab testing, to continue to receive your prescription.

In order for PrEP to work properly, it takes up to seven days of daily dosage to become effective with anal sex. It can take almost three weeks of proper daily dosage to be effective for vaginal intercourse.

No, it is not necessary to take PrEP forever. With medical direction, it is possible to safely stop and re-start taking PrEP at different times throughout one’s life. It is important to remember that whenever re-starting treatment with PrEP, it will take at least seven to twenty days of use to reach full effectiveness. Be sure to follow the direction of a knowledgeable healthcare provider when starting or stopping treatment.

Yes, a prescription is needed. Before starting PrEP, a health questionnaire and lab work are required. The lab work will test for HIV, Hepatitis B, and kidney function. Once the tests are completed and reviewed with you by your healthcare provider, a prescription for PrEP can be written, if appropriate.

In most cases, it is delivered to your address in less than one week of your PrEP appointment. We have challenges with some patients’ insurances which sometimes causes us to deliver outside of that time frame.

If you and your Music City PrEP Provider determine that PrEP is right for you, he or she sends your prescription immediately to one of our pharmacy partners – Avita Drug in Baton Rouge, LA or CVS. Once your insurance or your financial assistance is processed, you’ll receive a call from the pharmacy to confirm the address where your prescription should be mailed and it will arrive within 2 to 3 days.

QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE

Answers About PrEP

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a single daily dose pill for HIV-negative individuals. People exposed to HIV can prevent contracting it with the assistance of PrEP.

To date, there are two FDA-approved medications for PrEP, Truvada® the original PrEP approved in 2012, and now Descovy®, which was approved in 2019. Studies have shown that PrEP is 99% effective at preventing HIV when taken daily as prescribed.

PrEP must be taken consistently to ensure maximum effectiveness and should be used in combination with other HIV-prevention methods, including condoms.

PrEP is safe, and the regimen is generally well-tolerated. The original pill used for PrEP, Truvada, has been used to treat people living with HIV since 2004. PrEP can cause mild side effects, including upset stomach, headaches, and weight loss, especially at the beginning of the regimen.

A very small percentage of patients have issues with their kidneys or bones. That’s why we perform several tests on your first visit to see if you are at risk. We’ll also continue to monitor your health at regular intervals.

Descovy (TAF/FTC) was approved as PrEP in 2019 after a scientific study demonstrated that Descovy is not inferior to Truvada in terms of efficacy for cis men and trans women.

The main difference between Truvada and Descovy as PrEP for cis men and trans women is that for a very small percentage of prospective PrEP users, Truvada might be contraindicated due to bone mineral density or kidney function issues. Descovy can still be safely used in those cases because it has less of an effect on bone mineral density and kidney function than Truvada does. However, this does not mean that Descovy is an overall “safer” drug or that Truvada is “unsafe.”

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUVADA FOR PREP AND DESCOVY FOR PREP?Music City PrEP Clinic2020-03-31T21:10:37-05:00

The main difference between Truvada and Descovy as PrEP for cis men and trans women is that while that for a very small percentage of prospective PrEP users, Truvada might be contraindicated due to bone mineral density or kidney function issues, Descovy can still be safely used in those cases because it has less of an effect on bone mineral density and kidney function than Truvada does. However, this does not mean that Descovy is an overall “safer” drug or that Truvada is “unsafe.”

MCPC prescribes both forms of PrEP. Like all our services, they are both free for the patient, including the cost of the medication itself, the lab work and appointments to monitor them.

Whether you’re insured or uninsured, we work to make PrEP available to you at no cost. Also, STD, HIV and HEP testing are free for all patients. We provide treatment for some STDs at no cost. HIV positive individuals can be referred to other organizations to assist them in their care.

PrEP must be taken consistently every day to prevent the threat of the HIV virus from copying and spreading throughout the body. You must keep your appointment with your PrEP provider every three months, which includes comprehensive lab testing, to continue to receive your prescription.

In order for PrEP to work properly, it takes up to seven days of daily dosage to become effective with anal sex. It can take almost three weeks of proper daily dosage to be effective for vaginal intercourse.

No, it is not necessary to take PrEP forever. With medical direction, it is possible to safely stop and re-start taking PrEP at different times throughout one’s life. It is important to remember that whenever re-starting treatment with PrEP, it will take at least seven to twenty days of use to reach full effectiveness. Be sure to follow the direction of a knowledgeable healthcare provider when starting or stopping treatment.

Yes, a prescription is needed. Before starting PrEP, a health questionnaire and lab work are required. The lab work will test for HIV, Hepatitis B, and kidney function. Once the tests are completed and reviewed with you by your healthcare provider, a prescription for PrEP can be written, if appropriate.

In most cases, it is delivered to your address in less than one week of your PrEP appointment. We have challenges with some patients’ insurances which sometimes causes us to deliver outside of that time frame.

If you and your Music City PrEP Provider determine that PrEP is right for you, he or she sends your prescription immediately to one of our pharmacy partners – Avita Drug in Baton Rouge, LA or CVS. Once your insurance or your financial assistance is processed, you’ll receive a call from the pharmacy to confirm the address where your prescription should be mailed and it will arrive within 2 to 3 days.